Japan's 'Joy' Breaks Through 'Death' Group to Round of 16... Upsets as Germany and Belgium Are Eliminated

Japan's Comeback Victory Over Spain in Group E... Advances to Round of 16 as Top of the "Group of Death"
Asia's First Consecutive Qualification Record... Favorite Germany Eliminated Twice in a Row
Morocco Also Tops Group F... FIFA No. 2 Belgium Sent Home

On the afternoon of the 1st (local time), at the Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Japanese players who defeated Spain in the Group E third match of the 2022 Qatar World Cup group stage are cheering as they advance to the round of 16 as the top team in the group.

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo Mideum] Upsets occurred one after another. Japan, which was expected to be eliminated in the group stage as part of the "Group of Death," and Morocco, considered a football outsider from Africa, succeeded in advancing to the round of 16, while traditional football powerhouses such as Germany and Belgium lost face by being eliminated in the group stage.

On the 2nd (Korean time), Japan achieved a 2-1 come-from-behind victory against Spain in the final third group stage match of Group E held at Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar. Although they conceded the opening goal after yielding control to the opponent throughout the first half, they scored two consecutive goals within 8 minutes of the second half to bring Spain to its knees. At the 48th minute, Doan Ritsu capitalized on a ball-handling mistake by Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simon to score a goal, followed by Mitoma Gaoru scoring the go-ahead goal two minutes later.

Japan defeated Germany and Spain, both strong contenders for the championship, and advanced to the round of 16 as the top team in the group with 2 wins and 1 loss (6 points). This marked the first time an Asian country has advanced past the group stage in two consecutive World Cups. Japan was also the only Asian team to reach the round of 16 in the Russia World Cup four years ago.

This victory strengthened the tactics of Japan's national football team coach Moriyasu Hajime, who had once faced calls for dismissal during the difficult path to the World Cup. Moriyasu had been continuously criticized for his use of Mitoma. The criticism was due to not starting Mitoma, who played a key role in the equalizing goal as a substitute in the match against Germany, leading the team to a 2-1 victory. Especially after the 0-1 loss to Costa Rica in the second match, cold public opinion pointed to the failure to start Mitoma, who threatened opponents with his dribbling, as a major cause and targeted Moriyasu. However, Moriyasu remained steadfast. In the first half of the third match against Spain, which they had to win to advance to the round of 16, he kept Mitoma on the bench. Then, at the start of the second half, he substituted in Doan and Mitoma, producing a dramatic comeback that thrilled Japanese football fans.

Spain, defeated by Japan, advanced to the round of 16 as the second place in the group with 1 win, 1 draw, and 1 loss (4 points, goal difference +6), narrowly ahead of Germany (1 win, 1 draw, 1 loss, 4 points, goal difference 0) on goal difference. Germany suffered the pain of being eliminated in the group stage for two consecutive tournaments following the 2018 Russia World Cup.

On the 1st (local time), after the Group F third match between Morocco and Canada at the 2022 Qatar World Cup held at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Walid Regragui, the coach of Morocco, is being lifted in celebration by the players.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

In Group F, another favorite, Belgium, became a victim of an upset. In Group F, Morocco won 2-1 against Canada at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha and topped the group with 2 wins and 1 draw (7 points). They surpassed the 2018 Russia World Cup runner-up Croatia (1 win, 2 draws, 5 points) and the semifinalist Belgium (1 win, 1 draw, 1 loss, 4 points). Morocco's advancement to the round of 16 is the first in 36 years since the 1986 Mexico World Cup.

Belgium, ranked 2nd in the FIFA rankings and a favorite to win, disgracefully exited after yielding second place in the group to Croatia. Belgium drew 0-0 in a poor performance against Croatia in the final group stage match held at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar. This is the first time Belgium has been eliminated in the World Cup group stage since the 1998 France tournament, 24 years ago.

Morocco dominated Canada in the final group stage match held at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar. Hakim Ziyech intercepted a pass from Milan Borjan and immediately took a shot, scoring the opening goal in the 4th minute of the first half. Then, at the 23rd minute, Youssef En Nesyri scored an additional goal with a powerful shot after dribbling past two defenders. Canada's only goal was an own goal by Morocco. At the 40th minute of the first half, Naif Aguerd's own goal allowed Morocco to concede their first goal of the tournament.

Japan will play Croatia on the 6th of next month, and Morocco will face Spain on the 7th of next month in the round of 16 matches.